Singapore Public Transport Tickets & Hours Guide | Homejourney

Singapore’s public transport system is one of the safest, cleanest and most efficient in the world, and for most visitors, the quickest way to get around Singapore is by MRT and bus using an EZ-Link or contactless bank card.

In this Singapore Public Transport Guide for Tourists: Tickets, Prices and Opening Hours, Homejourney explains exactly how to ride the MRT, buses and airport trains, what each ticket type costs, and how to plan safe, stress‑free journeys that fit your itinerary and budget.

If you want a broader overview of all options (including taxis, Grab and walking routes), also see our main guide: Singapore Public Transport Guide for Tourists (2025) | Homejourney Singapore Public Transport Guide for Tourists (2025) | Homejourney .

Why public transport matters for Singapore property buyers and visitors

For tourists and business travellers, learning the MRT and bus system means you can reach key districts like Orchard, Marina Bay, Bugis and the CBD quickly, without worrying about traffic.

For Homejourney users considering buying or renting near an MRT line, understanding Singapore transport helps you judge real travel times from home to office, schools and nightlife hubs, and compare projects in our projects directory Projects Directory with real‑world commuting convenience.

As locals who use the MRT daily, we’ve included insider tips on which stations are best for specific attractions, typical crowd patterns, and how to travel safely even late at night.

Essential Singapore public transport snapshot for tourists

Here is a quick reference box you can screenshot before you land.

Key systems and operating hours

MRT Singapore (Mass Rapid Transit): Main subway network linking airport, city and heartland estates. Trains typically run from about 5.30am to around midnight, varying slightly by line and station.[1][7]
LRT: Short feeder lines in areas like Sengkang, Punggol and Bukit Panjang. Same ticketing as MRT.[7]
Public buses: Fill in the gaps between MRT lines; most services run from around 5.30am–midnight, with a few night buses on Fridays and Saturdays.[1][7]
Airport to city: MRT East–West Line from Changi Airport (CG2 via transfer at Expo or Tanah Merah), plus airport buses and taxis.[5]

Main ticket options & typical prices (SGD)

(Fares are indicative; always check the latest details with LTA or SimplyGo before your trip.)

Pay‑per‑ride with EZ-Link / NETS FlashPay / SimplyGo stored‑value card: Typical adult MRT/bus trip for tourists is about S$0.92–S$2.20 depending on distance.[5][8]
Contactless bank card (Visa/Mastercard/NETS): Tap in and out like EZ-Link; fares are similar but your bank’s FX fees may apply.[5][8]
Singapore Tourist Pass (STP): Unlimited rides on MRT and basic bus services for 1/2/3 days for a flat price, plus a refundable deposit. Prices commonly range around S$22–S$34 including deposit, depending on number of days, but check exact current rates on the official STP page.[5]

Best time to travel: Mid‑morning (9.30am–11.30am) and mid‑afternoon (2pm–4.30pm) are usually more comfortable; weekday peak hours (7.30am–9.30am, 5.30pm–7.30pm) can be crowded, especially on downtown stations.[4]

How long to set aside: For most inner‑city journeys, allow 20–35 minutes door‑to‑door by MRT including walking and transfers. From Changi Airport to the city via MRT, plan about 40–55 minutes depending on where you stay.

Official information: Use Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SimplyGo travel guide for official route, fare and disruption updates.[7][8] For general visitor information, see the Singapore Tourism Board site.[5]

How to choose the right ticket: EZ-Link, Tourist Pass or contactless card?

This is the question most visitors ask first. Choosing the right payment method can easily save you S$10–S$30 over a short stay.

Option 1: EZ-Link card – the classic local way

The EZ-Link card is Singapore’s long‑running stored‑value transit card, used by millions of residents for MRT, buses and even small purchases at some shops.[5][7]

Where to buy EZ-Link:

Passenger Service Centres (customer service counters) at major MRT stations such as Changi Airport, Orchard, City Hall, Bugis, HarbourFront.
Convenience stores like 7‑Eleven and Cheers island‑wide.[5]

Typical costs:

Card cost: Usually around S$10 with some stored value included (exact breakdown varies by promotion).
Top‑ups: Minimum top‑up amounts (often S$10) at general ticketing machines, NETS top‑up machines, or over the counter.

Best for: Visitors staying 4+ days, or those who like to return to Singapore regularly and keep the same card.

Insider tip: If you’re viewing multiple properties in a day with your agent via Homejourney’s property search Property Search , an EZ-Link makes station‑to‑station trips seamless—you can top up once in the morning and not worry about queuing for tickets between viewings.

Option 2: Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) – unlimited rides

The Singapore Tourist Pass is a special card that gives you unlimited rides on MRT and basic bus services for a set number of days.[5]

What you get:

1‑Day, 2‑Day and 3‑Day passes (valid for consecutive calendar days).
Unlimited rides on MRT and bus within that period, ideal if you plan intensive sightseeing.

Where to buy STP:

Selected MRT stations like Changi Airport, Orchard, Chinatown, City Hall from TransitLink ticket offices (check opening hours in advance as they do not operate 24/7).[5]

Best for: First‑time visitors planning to ride MRT and buses at least 4–6 times a day—for example, if your itinerary includes Zoo, Marina Bay, Orchard, Sentosa and Chinatown in quick succession.

Safety note: Buy the Tourist Pass only from official TransitLink counters and authorised locations listed on the STB or LTA websites to avoid scams.

Option 3: Contactless bank card or mobile wallet

If your Visa/Mastercard debit or credit card is contactless‑enabled, you can usually tap in and out directly at the fare gates using SimplyGo, without buying any separate card.[5][8]

Pros:

No need to top up or keep track of remaining value.
Ideal for short stays (1–3 days) or business trips where you charge everything to one corporate card.

Cons:

Your bank may add foreign transaction fees.
Children without their own contactless card still need an EZ-Link or single‑trip ticket.

Insider tip: Use contactless for adults, but buy child concession cards or single‑trip tickets for young kids, so you don’t have to hand over your personal card at every gate.

MRT Singapore guide: lines, hours and station tips

Singapore’s MRT is the backbone of Singapore transport for both locals and tourists, with six main colour‑coded lines covering most residential and tourist areas.[2][3][7]

Key MRT lines tourists will use most

East‑West Line (Green): Connects Changi Airport to city stations like Paya Lebar, Bugis, City Hall, Raffles Place and further west.
North‑South Line (Red): Links Orchard Road, Marina Bay, City Hall, and northwards to Ang Mo Kio and Woodlands.
Downtown Line (Blue): Excellent for sightseeing, with stops at Chinatown, Fort Canning, Bayfront (Marina Bay Sands), Bugis and more.[3]
Circle Line (Orange): Loops around inner city, connecting the stadium, Botanic Gardens and HarbourFront (gateway to Sentosa).
Thomson–East Coast Line (Brown): Serves Woodlands in the north down to Orchard and east coast precincts.[3]